A YOUNG girl suffered serious injuries at birth due to alleged negligence by psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey and a consultant obstetrician Dr Mary Hol0han in the treatment of her mother before and during her pregnancy, it has been claimed at the High Court.
It is claimed that Rebecca McGillin, now aged eight, was exposed to a risk of injury as a result of alleged failure of the defendants to properly assess the nature and type of prescription drugs being taken before and after pregnancy by her mother Lisa Glynn McGillin, who, it is claimed was diagnosed by Prof Casey some years earlier as having mild bi-polar disorder.
It is claimed there was a failure to give any or any proper advice as to certain effects of those drugs, including the drug Epilim, which is primarily used to treat epilepsy but is also effective in treating depression.
Prof Casey, who allegedly treated Lisa McGillin since 1994, and consultant obstetrician Mary Holohan failed to ensure Lisa McGillin was counselled properly or at all in relation to her pregnancy in 2000 and failed to properly comunciate with each other about the management of the pregnancy, it is also claimed.
It is alleged both defendants, following the diagnosis of pregnancy, failed to stop the alleged high dosage of drugs being taken by Lisa McGillin and failed to properly monitor her and to assess the medication best suited to her needs.
Rebecca suffered serious injuries at birth on April 10th, 2001, as a result of the alleged negligence, it is alleged. The child was alleged to have suffered cognitive and motor injuries and to have features consistent with Fetal Valporoate Syndrome.
Among other claims is that an ultrasound scan performed on the child’s mother at 12 weeks on January 11th, 2001, revealed a flexion deformity and asymmetric growth retardation with a repeat scan on January 22nd confirming those findings.
Following the January 11th scan, it is claimed Lisa McGillin contacted Prof Casey saying she would not be able to cope with a handicapped baby.
It is alleged Prof Casey discussed the options with Ms McGillin and advised her she could terminate the pregnancy and could travel to England quite easily to have that procedure.
It is further claimed Ms McGillin again contacted Prof Casey three days later who allegedly advised Ms McGillin she would be too distressed to follow through with a termination of her pregnancy and it would bother her for the rest of her life if she did so.
The proceedings by Rebecca McGillin, suing through her father Barry McGillin, Gainsborough Avenue, Malahide, Co Dublin, opened yesterday before Mr Justice John Quirke.
The child’s case is against Prof Casey, a professor of psychiatry practising from the Mater Misercordiae Hospital, Dublin, and Dr Mary Holohan, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist practising from the private clinic, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Separate proceedings by Lisa McGillin against the same defendants are listed for hearing later.
